The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federated Chapel, has carried out a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) exercise involving the cleaning and desilting of the drainage in front of the NUJ Council Secretariat at Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, as part of efforts to address flooding, erosion and traffic challenges in the area.
The exercise, held today was aimed at improving the free flow of water and reducing the impact of flooding during rainfall.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of the Ogun NUJ Council, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, commended the Federated Chapel for the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of journalists’ commitment to the development of the state.
According to him, the role of journalists goes beyond gathering and reporting news, stressing that media practitioners must also contribute directly to the development of society.
“This is a very good step by journalists. At least, we are seeing it that journalists are also responsible. It goes beyond nosing for news, gathering news, we are also doing things. We are showing our commitment to the development of Ogun State”.
Olanrewaju also appealed to the Ogun State Government to critically examine the drainage system in the area, noting that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun had previously intervened in the rehabilitation of the drainage.
He said the earlier intervention had provided relief for about two to three years before the problem resurfaced.
“The government of Dapo Abiodun did wonderfully well because about two to three years ago, they came here, they repaired this thing and it worked for us for more than two to three years until we are seeing this again this year.”
The NUJ Chairman explained that the drainage infrastructure was constructed at a time when the area had less development and fewer human activities, adding that increased development and population had placed considerable pressure on the existing system.
He called on the state Ministries of Works and Environment to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study of the drainage system and consider its reconstruction.
“These drainages were constructed when there was no massive development and massive human existence around all these ends. Human activities have really put pressure on these drainages.”
He further noted that some of the smaller pipes conveying water from one point to another had become blocked and were difficult to desilt.
“We are using this opportunity to plead with the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Environment to come around and do a very serious feasibility study about this place, reconstruct these drainages and also create a very thorough way for water to move.”
Olanrewaju expressed optimism that the state government would respond positively to the appeal, describing Governor Abiodun as a listening governor.
“If we look at this, it will help humanity. I know that we have a governor that listens. He’s definitely going to work on it. I believe His Excellency will begin work immediately.”
The NUJ Chairman also described the exercise as a historic moment for the Ogun NUJ, saying it reflected the commitment of the council and its chapels to initiatives that directly affect the welfare of members and the wider society.
“Today marks another history in the annals of Ogun NUJ. We are so glad that our people, comrades, are now seeing the need for us to join hands together and lift our union and make it bigger than we met it.”
He said the Federated Chapel’s intervention was particularly significant because of its close connection with community journalism and development.
“It is a chapel that has to do with community development because they are more involved in community newspapers, community journalism, and all of that. And what they are doing here today is a clear example of community development.”
Olanrewaju further urged other NUJ chapels to initiate projects that would have a direct impact on members and the public, noting that the drainage problem had contributed to traffic congestion around the NUJ Secretariat.
“These gutters have created a terrible situation for us in this place. It has affected the free flow of traffic, and with this step, desilting these drainages will definitely ease the problem that we have been having in terms of traffic logjam in front of Ogun NUJ Secretariat”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel, Comrade Juwon Opayemi, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Olamilekan Jaji, said journalists had a responsibility to contribute to the development of the communities in which they operate.
“We are not just media practitioners, we are part of the society, and the development of the society is our responsibility.”
Jaji said the blockage of the drainage had been a major cause of flooding on the road, expressing optimism that the situation would improve following the desilting exercise.
“The blockage of the drainage is the key reason for the flooded road, which I believe will be corrected after this exercise.”
He also appealed to individuals, businesses and private organisations operating along the axis to support efforts aimed at making the road more accessible to motorists and other road users.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel, Comrade Babalola Gafar, described the exercise as the chapel’s modest contribution towards addressing the environmental challenge.
“This initiative is therefore our modest contribution towards addressing this challenge. It is also a demonstration of the commitment of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel to environmental sanitation, community service, and the promotion of a cleaner and healthier society”.
Gafar said journalists understood the importance of advocacy and public awareness in promoting environmental responsibility, adding that the media would continue to sensitise members of the public on proper waste disposal.
“As members of the media, we understand the power of advocacy and public awareness. We will continue to use our various platforms to sensitise members of the public on the importance of proper waste disposal and the need for everyone to take responsibility for keeping our environment clean”.
He appreciated the leadership and members of the Federated Chapel for supporting the initiative and commended those who participated in the exercise despite their busy schedules.
Gafar, however, urged government agencies, residents and other users of the environment to sustain the gains of the exercise, stressing that regular cleaning alone would not permanently solve the problem if people continued to dump refuse in drainage .
“Cleaning the drainage is only one part of the solution. Ensuring that refuse is not dumped into the drainage channels is equally important.”
